Beijing Closes Down Gas Stations

About 10 percent of Beijing’s gas stations will have to close in May because they cannot meet new, higher environmental standards, BBC reported. More than 1,000 other stations will each have to buy $70,000 worth of equipment to collect fumes that will be stored in tanks for re-use.

Air quality in Beijing is a major worry for organisers of the Olympics.

The President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, has warned that some events could be postponed if pollution levels rise too far.

Many cars are expected to be ordered off the road during the games and the authorities have started closing down factories.

This comes after news that all new cars sold in Beijing will have to meet new emission standards.